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Report: Louis Morris at the Student Wave Series

Last weekend I competed in the first event of the Student Windsurfing Association wave series. The event was hosted by University of Plymouth Windriders, and we sailed at Marazion. The wind on Saturday was disappointing, but on Sunday morning we …

Report: Sara Kellett at the Student Wave Series

Last weekend was the first event of the student wave series, so early Saturday morning I drove down to Marazion from Bristol. It was a great weekend. Saturday the wind was a bit too light for competition, but with nice …

Last weekend was the first event of the student wave series, so early Saturday morning I drove down to Marazion from Bristol. It was a great weekend. Saturday the wind was a bit too light for competition, but with nice little waves most people still managed to get on the water for a wobble and ride windsurf or some surfing. It turns out windsurf boards can double up as surfboards quite well!

After a fun night out in Plymouth- with drinks which were dangerously cheap- Sunday was a slow start! Once out of bed, the cold water and wind washed away any doubts, and a full day of competition was had. I was on my 4.8 S1 and 72l Kode, which started off being perfect although as the day went on the wind seemed to drop, so by the end it became rather challenging. Still managed to get second place which I was really happy with. Fellow team rider Louie Morris came first, an expert at making the most out of the mushy waves and lighter winds, and Ben Bulson was third, but everyone was ripping.

The atmosphere on and off the water is always so good at student events. Everyone helps each other out, with some people trying waves for the first time. Thanks to everyone who made it happen. Can’t wait for the next one at Bangor.

Report: Luke Smith at the Avon Beach Wave Classic

Just came home from the first Avon Beach Wave Classic, and what an amazing example of how to run an event when mother nature doesn’t fully play ball! I arrived on the Friday morning to some pretty decent 4.8 weather, …

Just came home from the first Avon Beach Wave Classic, and what an amazing example of how to run an event when mother nature doesn’t fully play ball! I arrived on the Friday morning to some pretty decent 4.8 weather, albeit without waves, so rigged my 4.8 Freek and 93 Flare for some freestyle fun. No official contesting happened on the Friday as the small ramps dropped off with tide movement but still a great first day.

On the Saturday the wind and waves eluded us once more but Sparkey ran coaching and rigging demos for those interested. Those who weren’t, were busy filling their boots with Conkers mulled gin – who had their bar set up in the 2 tier beach structure – or warming up with Jimmys Ice Coffee’s van which had pots of coffee on the stove. Later it was decided to run a tow in contest for the crowd, and after a few amusing crashes; myself, Nic Hibdige, Adam Lewis, Muzza and Ben Page got the feel for it and landed a few tricks. Later on at the packed out pub we did prize giving.

Winning bottles of Conker Gin in 1st place was deservedly Nic, 2nd place was me, and 3rd Adam, and also winning a bottle, perhaps medicinally, for best crash; Ben!

Sunday we turned up drank more coffee, ate pastries donated by local patisseries and waited for the wind. Although there wasn’t enough to run official competition we were able to get out for freestyle expression session. In the pro draw Nic managed to pull enough moves to get first, Sparkey second, and myself third – more gin related prizes – get in!

All round a great weekend despite not a great deal of wind and waves but a jam packed event and very well attended by competitors and spectators alike! Thanks to the many photographers, Trevor Hibdige, Timmy Vowler and Roger Bushnell.